›You are here

Home›Destinations›Africa›Botswana›Botswana Snapshot

Botswana Snapshot

Winter (April through August) is a good time to visit Botswana. The days are usually mild and wildlife is generally quite easy to spot. The summer can bring frequent rain, which can make it difficult to travel around some of the national parks. Wildlife also tends to disperse during the summer rains, making animals a little harder to spot.
  • Botswana weather chart

Eating and Drinking in Botswana

  • Seswaa: This classic dish of shredded beef served with maize meal and cabbage is considered to be Botswana's national dish and can be found in most restaurants and cafes.
  • Bush Tea: Also known as Rooibos, this red-hued tea is drunk widely throughout Southern Africa. Pure, natural, high in antioxidants and void of caffeine, you'll see locals drinking it everywhere from city cafes to village huts.
  • Fresh Fruit: Local produce in Botswana is quite good but their melons are generally the stand out. For a cheap and healthy snack, try watermelon, marula or lerotse, which can be found at markets and street stalls.
  • Watermelon

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways of experiencing a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savouring a cheap eat or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world. Food in Botswana is quite basic and usually consists of millet, sorghum, goat or beef, but there are a few highlights.

Shopping in Botswana

  • Elephant Dung Paper: Yes, you read it correctly, you’ll be able to find recycled paper products made from elephant dung in Botswana. Handmade cards, envelopes and journals make interesting, environmentally aware gifts for friends back home – and don’t worry, they don’t smell.
  • Handmade Baskets: The basket weavers of Botswana are considered among Africa’s best, so pick up a colourful, handwoven basket made using techniques that have been passed down through generations.
  • Art: Modern and traditional art by talented local artists can be found in sophisticated city galleries and sleepy country markets. Supporting local artisans is a good way to assist the community, empower people and ensure your souvenirs are authentic.
  • Woodern carving

Botswana has everything from western-style malls to village markets and craft cooperatives. While Botswana’s wildlife and landscapes are undoubtedly the main attractions, there are enough shopping highlights here to fill a backpack.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Accommodation

Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When travelling with us in Botswana you may find yourself staying in a:
Comfortable Lodge

  • Comfortable Lodge

  • For a softer safari experience, put your feet up at the end of a day of adventuring and rest in a comfortable lodge.
Bushcamping

  • Bushcamping

  • Get back to basics and enjoy waking to the sounds of nature while camping in Botswana’s beautiful bush.

Transport

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending on which trip you're on while in Botswana, you may find yourself travelling by:

  • Boat

  • Admire waterbirds, hippos, crocodiles and classic African landscapes while on a boat cruise along the stunning Chobe River.
Mokoro

  • Mokoro

  • Navigate the famed waterways of Botswana’s Okavango Delta aboard a motorised canoe, known locally as a mokoro.

Shortlist

No trips.

Botswana at a glance

  • 28
  • Gaborone (population 138,000)
  • 2 million
  • English, Setswana
  • BWP
  • (GMT+02:00) Windhoek
  • Type D (Old British 3-pin), Type G (Irish/British 3-pin), Type M (see D)
  • +267

Subscribe to Newsletters


Inspiration straight to your inbox with travel tips, specials, travellers' experiences and a trip to win in every edition!
  • brochure request